It looks a bit like the latest Corolla Altis, as seen in Bangkok with a welcome red taxi light. Instead of the old bullnose of the previous Avensis, Yaris, Aygo and Hilux, it has acquired a facsimilie of the front of the larger Camry. Not exactly like the Altis, though. The English built Avensis has a bigger grille extending all the way to the front end of the bonnet.

Anyone wanting to sell cars in Europe now has to meet an overall fleet average of 130g/km CO2 by 2012. On current projections, helped by the ultra low emitting IQ and Aygo, Toyota is on course for 140g/km in 20011, so, along with Honda, is better placed than most to meet the 130g/km limit without incurring EC fines.